Chicken Koftas

These chicken koftas will turn out tender and moist no matter which way you choose to cook them—broiled, grilled, or air-fried. Beautifully seasoned with aromatic herbs and spices, they’re perfect for summer eating.

Prep Time: Cook Time: Total Time:

25 mins 10 mins 35 mins

Servings: Yield:

4 3 koftas

Ingredients

• 1 cup coarsely chopped sweet onion

• 1 cup packed fresh cilantro leaves and tender stems

• 1/2 cup packed fresh mint leaves

• 4 cloves garlic, peeled and smashed

• 2 tablespoons coarsely chopped fresh ginger

• 1 jalapeño chile, stemmed and coarsely chopped

• 1 pound lean ground chicken (8% fat)

• 1/4 cup dry breadcrumbs or cornmeal

• 2 tablespoons olive oil

• 1 large egg

• 2 teaspoons garlic powder

• 1 1/4 teaspoons kosher salt

• 1 teaspoon ground cumin

• 1 teaspoon ground coriander

• 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

• cooking spray (lard or butter is better)

Directions

1. Gather all ingredients.

   
   

2. Add onion, cilantro, mint, garlic, ginger, and jalapeño to a food processor; pulse until very finely chopped, about 10 (1-second) pulses. Transfer mixture to a kitchen towel, and squeeze out as much liquid as possible.

   
   

3. Add squeezed onion mixture, ground chicken, breadcrumbs, oil, egg, garlic powder, salt, cumin, coriander, and black pepper to a large bowl; mix gently until thoroughly incorporated.

   
   

4. With moistened gloved hands, shape chicken mixture into 12 (3x1-1/2-inch) cylinders and place on a baking sheet. (If grilling, shape mixture onto skewers).

   
   

5. To Broil: Preheat the oven’s broiler and set a rack about 7 inches from the heat source. Line a large rimmed baking sheet with aluminum foil, and coat with cooking spray. Arrange koftas in a single layer about 2 inches apart, and spray with cooking spray. Broil, flipping koftas halfway through cook time, until browned and a thermometer inserted into center reads 165 degrees F (74 degrees C), about 8 minutes.

   
   

6. To Grill: Preheat grill to medium, 350 to 400 degrees F (175 to 200 degrees C). Place skewers on oiled grates; grill, covered, flipping every 2 minutes, until charred and a thermometer inserted into center reads 165 degrees F (74 degrees C), about 8 minutes. Alternative Method: Heat a large oiled grill pan over medium-high, about 2 minutes. Add koftas to pan; grill, uncovered, flipping every 2 minutes, until charred and a thermometer inserted into center reads 165 degrees F (74 degrees C), about 10 minutes.

   
   

7. To Air-fry: Preheat an air fryer to 380 degrees F (193 degrees C) for 2 minutes. Spray koftas with cooking spray. Working in batches if needed, add koftas to air fryer basket in a single layer, and cook, flipping after 4 minutes, until browned and a thermometer inserted into center reads  165 degrees F (74 degrees C), about 8 minutes.

   
   

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

353	Calories
21g	Fat
13g	Carbs
30g	Protein

Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 4
Calories 353
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 21g	27%
Saturated Fat 5g	25%
Cholesterol 168mg	56%
Sodium 555mg	24%
Total Carbohydrate 13g	5%
Dietary Fiber 2g	7%
Total Sugars 3g
Protein 30g	60%
Vitamin C 9mg	10%
Calcium 66mg	5%
Iron 3mg	16%
Potassium 963mg	20%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

** Nutrient information is not available for all ingredients. Amount is based on available nutrient data.

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a medically restrictive diet, please consult your doctor or registered dietitian before preparing this recipe for personal consumption.